The Yamaha YCL-650 is an excellent choice for those who are serious about their clarinet performance but need to watch their budget. The specifications of its bell, barrel, toneholes and other features are very close to those of the Custom SEV model, so its sound is warm, round, and deeply resonant.

Made of carefully select and seasoned grenadilla wood and boasting an pronounced handcrafting and hand finishing, the YCL-650 features tapered toneholes which are undercut by hand for precise intonation and superior tonal balance. It also features beautifully sculpted keys whose touch has been regulated by master artisans for perfect balance.

Serious clarinetists will find inspiration in the tone and responsiveness of the YCL-650 Bb clarinets. Featuring newly designed 65mm barrels-similar to Yamaha's acclaimed V Series-and durable blue steel spring material, the clarinets offer a beautiful natural finish on grenadilla bodies. The combination of aesthetic beauty and quick action promises an outstanding playing experience, as does the resonance chamber in the bell, which gives the instrument wonderful projection.

I would definetly recomend this clarinet to all musicians who want to take there music to the next level. It has a beautiful sound and amazing tone quality. I have had mine for almost...Read complete review

I would definetly recomend this clarinet to all musicians who want to take there music to the next level. It has a beautiful sound and amazing tone quality. I have had mine for almost a year and I love it. I use a Rovner ligature and a Vandoren mouthpeice. It also has unbelievable range. I would definetly buy this clarinet if you want the sound to be the best it can.

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Clarinet is Okay

I bought this clarinet a year ago to start playing again after 20 years. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but wanted a good instrument. It is a beautiful looking...Read complete review

I bought this clarinet a year ago to start playing again after 20 years. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but wanted a good instrument. It is a beautiful looking clarinet, but it has some intonation problems. The clarion register plays sharp and it is almost impossible to get the high C in tune. I tried an R13 with the same mouthpiece and reed and it played perfectly in-tune. Poor intonation is the most disappointing aspect of this clarinet.

I've had this clarinet for almost a year and a half and thought it was time to put in a review. I wanted a step up professional type clarinet without having to pay an exorbitant price. I got online and checked out video of people playing this clarinet. It sounded so good. So I decided to try it. It's great!! The tone is so warm and wonderful. It has good projection. It keeps up with the more expensive clarinets very well. I would buy this clarinet again in a heartbeat. It's a quality clarinet for a very good price. The only negative for me is the mouthpiece. I don't use it. I have a Vandoren mouthpiece and it makes a world of difference. I wouldn't recommend using the mouthpiece.

I've had this clarinet for almost a year and a half and thought it was time to put in a review. I wanted a step up professional type clarinet without having to pay an exorbitant price. I got online and checked out video of people playing this clarinet. It sounded so good. So I decided to try it. It's great!! The tone is so warm and wonderful. It has good projection. It keeps up with the more expensive clarinets very well. I would buy this clarinet again in a heartbeat. It's a quality clarinet for a very good price. The only negative for me is the mouthpiece. I don't use it. I have a Vandoren mouthpiece and it makes a world of difference. I wouldn't recommend using the mouthpiece.

Ordered the YCL-650U from WWBW-it arrived monday-WOW-this one is a player! Tone is full and rich-sounds better than my favorite older Selmer Centered-tone, large bore with cork padded upper joint! YCL-650 has perfect key placement, accurate intonation,(no stuffy notes) stunning appearance-this horn is a keeper! With a John Pierce jazz mouthpiece-this is a great clarinet for big band use! Thanks for a great playing clarinet at a reasonable price. I will not hesitate to recommend this clarinet for players of all levels.

Ordered the YCL-650U from WWBW-it arrived monday-WOW-this one is a player! Tone is full and rich-sounds better than my favorite older Selmer Centered-tone, large bore with cork padded upper joint! YCL-650 has perfect key placement, accurate intonation,(no stuffy notes) stunning appearance-this horn is a keeper! With a John Pierce jazz mouthpiece-this is a great clarinet for big band use! Thanks for a great playing clarinet at a reasonable price. I will not hesitate to recommend this clarinet for players of all levels.

I bought this clarinet a year ago to start playing again after 20 years. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but wanted a good instrument. It is a beautiful looking clarinet, but it has some intonation problems. The clarion register plays sharp and it is almost impossible to get the high C in tune. I tried an R13 with the same mouthpiece and reed and it played perfectly in-tune. Poor intonation is the most disappointing aspect of this clarinet.

I bought this clarinet a year ago to start playing again after 20 years. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but wanted a good instrument. It is a beautiful looking clarinet, but it has some intonation problems. The clarion register plays sharp and it is almost impossible to get the high C in tune. I tried an R13 with the same mouthpiece and reed and it played perfectly in-tune. Poor intonation is the most disappointing aspect of this clarinet.

I purchased this instrument about a year ago and am very satisfied with it. I played through several clarinet models, including those made by Buffet, and found this one to be my favorite. The unstained wood is truly beautiful and the keywork is very comfortable and easy to play. The first week I had it, I put the top and bottom join together and manager to scrape the cork right off of the bridge key. I didn't notice any different in playability until I tried the 1-and-1 Bb. I got this fixed easily enough, but I am now very careful when connecting the two. It plays very well in tune and has a nice tone. The tone is a bit brighter in color when compared to Buffets or Selmers, but if you change your reed/mouthpiece setup this instrument can sound just as dark. I personally like the slightly brighter sound this instrument offers. The case, I found to be a pain the first few days, but soon grew accustomed to it. I now absolutely love it. For one of the bands I play in we did a show outside where it began to rain. The weather case kept the hardshell perfectly dry, while my friends R13 case was soaked, both inside and out. It really is a great instrument, and at half the price of the R13 with all of the same features, it really is something you shouldn't pass up.

I purchased this instrument about a year ago and am very satisfied with it. I played through several clarinet models, including those made by Buffet, and found this one to be my favorite. The unstained wood is truly beautiful and the keywork is very comfortable and easy to play. The first week I had it, I put the top and bottom join together and manager to scrape the cork right off of the bridge key. I didn't notice any different in playability until I tried the 1-and-1 Bb. I got this fixed easily enough, but I am now very careful when connecting the two. It plays very well in tune and has a nice tone. The tone is a bit brighter in color when compared to Buffets or Selmers, but if you change your reed/mouthpiece setup this instrument can sound just as dark. I personally like the slightly brighter sound this instrument offers. The case, I found to be a pain the first few days, but soon grew accustomed to it. I now absolutely love it. For one of the bands I play in we did a show outside where it began to rain. The weather case kept the hardshell perfectly dry, while my friends R13 case was soaked, both inside and out. It really is a great instrument, and at half the price of the R13 with all of the same features, it really is something you shouldn't pass up.